LR Question 1 Explanation
QUESTION TEXT: Moralist: TV talk shows are contributing to the moral…
QUESTION TYPE: Point at Issue
ARGUMENTS: The moralist concludes that TV shows are causing a decline in morality. Televisions showcases people of low morals.
The people watching will begin to think that the behavior they see on TV is normal and that there is something wrong with being morally upright.
The talk show host concludes that if there is a decline then it isn’t the TV shows’ fault. Television just shows people what they want to see. There’s nothing wrong with letting viewers decide.
ANALYSIS: They disagree on who is to blame for the decline in morals.
___________
- The moralist didn’t say what we should do about the decline in morals.
- The TV show host admits it’s possible that morals have declined.
- This sounds a lot like answer choice D, but it’s different. The host doesn’t say whether he thinks TV shows influence the norm. He just thinks they aren’t causing a decline.
- CORRECT. The moralist thinks TV is to blame. The talk show host isn’t even convinced there is a decline. If there is then it isn’t TV’s fault.
- This sounds tempting but the moralist doesn’t actually say if she favors restricting what viewers can see.
More Resources for Point at Issue Questions
- Intro Course lesson: This intro course lesson covers Point at Issue questions.
- Mastery Seminar lesson: This LR Mastery seminar lesson covers point at issue questions.
Cause means physically cause, nothing to do with blame. This makes no sense.
If you say something “is to blame” it means it caused it. It’s used also when there is a negative connotation, but it is a causal phrase
I am failing to understand why D is inncorect. The answer choice says that TV talk shows are CAUSING a moral decline, regardless of who is at FAULT for it. It seems like both the moralist as well as the TV talk show host agree on that point.
The moralist thinks there is a decline. The TV talk show host said “IF there is such a decline” meaning they aren’t convinced it exists. If indicates a hypothetical.
For example, if I say “IF an independent candidate wins the election” I am not saying they will win or I think they will. I’m just talking about what would happen in the hypothetical scenarios where they do win.
Note: This is an old comment but I wanted to clarify the point.